Shipping crate for automobile motors



Oct. 7, 1947, H.` N. NUTT` SHIPPING CRATE FOR AUTOMOBILE MOTORS 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 17, :i944

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Oct. 7, 1947. H. N. NUTT- SHIPl-ING CRATE FOR AUTOMOBILE MOTORS FiledJuly 17, 1944 I5 Sheets-Sheet' IN V EN TOR. H0 WARD N. Narr PatentedOct. 7, 1947 SHIPPING CRATE FOR AUTOMOBILE MOTORS Howard N. Nutt,Detroit, Mich.

Application July 17, 1944, Serial No. 545,265

This invention relates to automobile accessories and has particularreference to a combination shipping crate and assembly stand forautomobile motors.

An object of the invention is the provision of a device which isuniversally applicable to the shipment, assembling, and displaying ofall types and models of automobile motors, such as the Ford V8,Chevrolet, Dodge, Plymouth, and others.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of thecharacter referred to, with which an automobile motor may be easilyhandled manually during shipment.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of thecharacter referred to, in which an automobile motor may be cradled foreasy handling by various types of hoisting machinery.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device by which anautomobile motor may be stored or shipped in dust-proof andmoistureproof condition, and secured against any possibility of beingdamaged in transit.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel crate forthe shipment of an automobile motor from which the motor is easilyremoved.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a fully enclosedshipping crate from which the cover is easily removed to make an idealassembly stand or showroom display mounting for an automobile motor.Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel shippingcontainer for an automobile motor Which protects the motor against thepossibility of anyone tampering with it during transportation.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention willbecome more apparent as the description proceeds, reference being madefrom time to time to the accompanying drawings forming part of theWithin disclosure, in which drawings:

Figs. 1 is a perspective View of a device embodying my invention, withparts in adjusted position for illustrative purposes.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the cradle illustrated in Fig 1with a V type motor in carrying position.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing a Vertical type motor inposition for transportation on the cradle.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the motor cradle illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the motor cradle.

4 Claims. (Cl. 20S- 46) Fig. 6 is a rear elevational view of the motorcradle.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the tie rods employed to hold inplace the members illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9.

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of one of the bracket supporting members.

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the other bracket supporting member.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the cover.

Fig. 11 is a section taken substantially on the line II-II of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a section taken substantially on the line I2-I2 of Fig. l0-

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the cornerre-enforcing members for the cover.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings (Fig. l), it will beunderstood that in general my device consists of a cradle I5 and ahousing or cover I6, each of which is described more particularlyhereinafter.

The cradle I5 may be made of wood, or other suitable material, and isprovided with -a base member I'I upon which are mounted stringers I8 andI9 which are adapted to support either a V type motor such as the FordV8, or a vertical motor such as the Chevrolet or Plymouth.

The stringer I8 `is preferably permanently xed to the base I'I,whereas'the stringer I9 is secured to the base I'I by means of hinges 20and 2l.

-Both the stringers I8 and I9 are beveled along their contacting edgeswith the base I'I so that they normally incline inwardly. Y

The stringer I8 is provided with backing blocks 22 and 22a which arepreferably secured in position by means of a tie rod 23 which extendsthrough a longitudinal bore 30 (Fig. 9) and through a suitable aperturein the base I'I. The tie rod 23 is threaded to engage a nut 25, and isalso adapted to secure in position a bracket 26 which is supported onthe upper edges of the stringer I8 and backing block 22.

The bracket 26 is provided with an aperture adapted to accommodate astudbolt 2'I (Fig, 2) whereby the motor block 28, which in this instanceis a Ford V8 motor (Fig. 2), may be secured in position. The studbolt 21is preferably attached to a chain 21a which is in turn attached to thebacking block 22 so that the studbolt 21 will not become lost when notin use.

The stringer I9 is also provided with a backing block 29 which issimilarly secured in position by a tie rod `23a which extends through alongitudinal bore 30. The inclined edge 3| of the backing block 29 isrounded as at 32 so that the backing block 29 may be pivoted about thetie rod 23a,

A bracket 34, similar to the bracket 25, is also l supported on theupper edges of the Stringer I9 and backing block 29, and serves thesameI purpose as the bracket 26.

It Will be noted that the brackets and 34 (Figs. 2 and 3) are swung intoone position to hold a V type motor y28-r and are swung into theopposite' position tov secure Y a vertical :motor 'i 35 (Fig, 3). Whenthe device is used to carryza vertical motor (Fig. 3), thenrnotor`i'langes35 rest'on the...upper edges: ofthe stringersIS and I9, and thelower ends of the brackets vv215- and 34 are 'adapted to ride on topv ofthe1 anges and hold them down.

.The stringersy l'B'and I9 are provided with suitable cut-out portions31, 38, and-39 -to accommodate certain extending partsV of the :motorAassembly, includingjthe clutchV housing. Y

On the under side of the base I1, I provide foot members 40vwhichserve-as supports for gthebase I1 and provide clearance betweenthe ybase member I1--and-t-he loorso that ahoistingrdevice may4Refer-ring. to Fig. 12,it will Ybe seen'thatfthein-4 side of the4top/ofthe. cover vmemberl I Baisrefenforced by means of horizontalmembers44," and the corners. .are re-en'forced' by means .ofA insideverticaimembers '95 and metal corner,piecesflIiL,`

all of Which are secured inpositionby meansof boltsV and nuts 111,y orother suitablezmea'ns,A jThe.Y metal corner-'members '46 extend belowthe ,sides and ends of the cover I6,"and are 'provided'near theirlower'extremities with apertures '48 adapted toy accommodate tie bolts49 (Fig.' 1), which tie bolts-B9 also extend Ythrough slots v5I) formedin the 4rupper Vportion of ilthe foot members `4I] :to lock the cover 16securely `in place lon the cradle I5.

-When the coverl IIian'dcradlejI are 'secured- 4 together as hereinabovedescribed, the entire assembly may be manually lifted by means of thehandles 5I which are preferably welded to the reenforcing corner members46.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a cradle adapted tosupport an automobile motor the said cradle being provided twith a pairof'inwardly 'inclined longitudinal stringers, one of which is hinged foroutward movement, there `I'being backing blocks on the outside of saidstringfers, arrangedtoiprevent their outward displacement, and a bracketmounted on the upper edge of each of said backing blocks.

2. 'A device of the character described, comprising'acradle to-asupportan automobile motor and a housing for said cradle the cradle beingprovided with a pair of inwardly inclined longitudinal stringers, oneofiwhich is hinged for outwardV movement, f there :':being backing;blocks on the .outside .of said stringers arranged. to lpre'vent theiroutward :'displacement, v.and va bracket mounted on the upper edge ofeach of said-.back-r cradle being provided with: a :pair fof yinwardlyinclined i longitudinal stringers, :one z of Which is hinged foroutward'fmovement;backing blockszon said cradle outside of saidstringers.and Yadapted to vprevent theoutwardfdisplacement of said stringers,-the backing r.block fior said hinged Stringer having la ylongitudinal-bore and a bolt therein for attachment tothe; cradle, whereby it may beaxially ,rotated i-ntoandout ofzlocking positionI with respect -tosaidhingednstringer.

`4l. rJQhe combination .deinediinecla-im 3, in which said kaxially frotatable .backing -fblockis provided with an inclined;sidewall,:adapted.tol-abutl :the

vexly curved. 4

d fHowA-RD Yniet?annuel:saterrito l *The following references are'` Off,record. .in .the leof'this patent:

UNIT-ED satAfrE-si garantis Number Y-Name Y fDate 250,989 `Smith j-"Dec.'13, 188,1

919,799 i vWeinatt Apr. 21,1909 1,368,606 Cole' Feb." 15,` 19211,484,736 Patrick etal 'Feb.`26, 1924 1,661,527 Y, 'Boervn Mar. 6, 1.928Y1,673,324 Gardner 'Junev *12, 1928 2,341,801

Miner yr'enl V1,5, 194.4l

